Photo by RetailByRyan95

Seven years ago, Larry took over the store where he had worked for more than a decade, Power Video & Electronics at 1703 Pitkin Ave. in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

His first order of business? Start selling furniture.

Larry, who declines to give his last name — even on his business card — made the move because he couldn’t match electronics prices at big box stores like Best Buy and Target. So Power Video & Electronics is now Power Furniture.

The days when national retailers were still hesitant to set up shop in Brooklyn must seem like ancient history to Larry and other small businesses along Pitkin Avenue. Indeed, the arrival of more and more big box stores means Larry and his fellow small retailers need to stay on their toes.

Target at Atlantic Terminal and BJ’s Wholesale Club stores in Canarsie and East New York both sell cheap furniture, so Larry says he must stock strategically. He carries a wide selection of mattresses, which neither Target nor BJ’s specialize in. But Larry understands those calculations could change at any moment. “If they go bigger, I’ll be in trouble with mattresses,” he said.

Another thing that has changed at 1703 Pitkin is the workforce. The electronics store used to employ seven to eight people, but Larry can only afford to keep two or three people on staff throughout much of the year. During tax refund season, he employs five or six workers.

The next big concern for small businesses along Pitkin Avenue, said Larry, is whether the city will allow Walmart to set up shop. That prospect was once considered a longshot, but the king of American retail is now making progress.

Are you a small business owner in Brooklyn? How has the arrival of big box stores affected your business? How have you responded?